[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6253269,"mediaKeyId","3182336-c04fe6a654432d563fdbad0bb02fe94f","parentId",3182336,"title","Central Valley board adopted cease‑and‑desist order for City of Arvin after pond seepage, restricted new sewer connections","audioSeconds",939,"startMs",4513000,"endMs",5452000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182336-c04fe6a654432d563fdbad0bb02fe94f&start=4513&end=5452","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182336-c04fe6a654432d563fdbad0bb02fe94f/thumbnail_4513000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6253269/California/Central-Valley-board-adopted-ceaseanddesist-order-for-City-of-Arvin-after-pond-seepage-restricted-new-sewer-connections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253269-4978b2cdd25ae640ae601c3ddc671506/orig.mp4?Expires=1773641859&Signature=LMLjRR-GZmuBFvax0ZFJuEFT5dNPiiQWg-kNAlQ2B0lhegfyoEhhstmHsSB9rHlFQ3pc2DYCoDY4RDKTi5aShLTgu-yOscbUCQCoKnIuvkBWn3ey9Ho8P8Ba~t45BUC37gvy9XrIApm~32doFg5wcVnwVWQve-3TxR8cl1oXPxMvIzuuPEXmKHrVHmUT4Q6zt7DTVWp3OQiEw6z1kr94o0~ABMw~Tcphsrkhbm2bIfosRBfGMNXVjlm1ZW3-Ytpy2gwOg1P0tEhUSwk7RsGYB5-o21cQSgEkR3EvzCiFVZ8LM8JUL~DUk6lkoZzVMuCR1rnP-rLo7xtPE6YAoRZM6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State Water Resources Control Board Meeting","date","2025-04-29T20:06:53Z","article","The Central Valley Regional Water Board adopted a contested cease‑and‑desist order (CDO) in 2023 against the City of Arvin after staff documented pond seepage, unauthorized land application and repeated emergency discharges that threatened public access and recreational areas.

Christina Shoop, assistant executive officer for the Central Valley Region, explained that Arvin self‑reported seepage problems in 2021 tied to Pond 3, which had been built largely above grade. Inspections showed continuing seepage, unauthorized land application at non‑authorized rates, and the city lacked sufficient storage and disposal capacity to manage its wastewater stream and make repairs. Staff concluded that restricting new wastewater connections was necessary to prevent further degradation while facility repairs and permit amendments proceeded.

The CDO as adopted prohibited future connections for development projects that did not have building permits before the order’s effective date but included exemptions for projects that addressed extreme public hardship or public health threats. The board also built a mechanism allowing the Executive Officer to grant additional, case‑by‑case exemptions if the city demonstrates progress toward corrective actions and that granting the exemption will not delay return to compliance.

Shoop and Office of Enforcement Director Yvonne West described the approach as injunctive rather than penalty‑oriented: the order imposed deadlines and allowed conditional exemptions to focus remediation and to help the city obtain technical support and funding. After adoption, regional staff continued monthly coordination with the city, and Arvin has since obtained several exemptions for proposed developments intended to improve housing and tax base; the city remains in the process of completing repairs and has hired outside counsel and contractors.

Speakers said the CDO functioned as a tool to prioritize technical assistance, to secure public investment, and to create an enforceable timeline while the long‑term solution continues to be implemented.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Water Quality Coordinating Committee (WQCC) Meeting - May 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Central Valley Regional Water Board adopted a 2023 cease‑and‑desist order for the City of Arvin after inspections documented pond seepage, unauthorized land application and emergency discharges that posed water‑quality and public‑access risks.","taxTitle","State Water Resources Control Board, Boards and Commissions, Executive, California","taxId",76764,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6253274,"San Francisco Bay Water Board adopts nutrient limits after decade of monitoring and two large blooms",1758,2674000,4432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182336-c04fe6a654432d563fdbad0bb02fe94f&start=2674&end=4432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182336-c04fe6a654432d563fdbad0bb02fe94f/thumbnail_2674000.jpg","/articles/6253274/California/San-Francisco-Bay-Water-Board-adopts-nutrient-limits-after-decade-of-monitoring-and-two-large-blooms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253274-642dd1b38bebe0f5ee7faf08610b67ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1773641859&Signature=Adi5nnyiFR1BWoGVHihROomTi~YXln4Nw4GBLydGUQLG~xqyRUsObGfEVIOm348qUCLejeFtgJnjAmOeSiyf5iUn7k6o0euZChhur-nYw-oHjZthegvS~QgmipNApdq6FiPzKmrr8MyBJzABodPwAdQsBVSw-5~c3uybp-3NTe4SseTx4iCkzSuhFeNWVCQb5AcSDXQ3TddceyD~sUqnlMfKXFSi2kVOGC5U3a83dus85jWPv5fsqO8GgxiWiKuh1piCaDgNP0txBXNhkwvYffijzMBblZUX7jRf8ta4CZ7dFOZdtxbakbL5gk-T9CVjodsHo9f~70jAemlhKDxGnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Board presented its multi‑year nutrient management initiative and the board‑level decision last summer to adopt numeric limits for wastewater dischargers to the Bay.

A regional staff member described how the program began in 2010 with monitoring and collaborative science because historically the Bay resisted algal blooms due to turbidity and tidal mixing. After harmful heterosigma blooms in 2022 and 2023 that produced widespread fish kills, staff concluded there was reasonable potential for municipal discharges to cause or contribute to exceedances of the narrative biostimulatory objective and, under federal NPDES regulations, that triggered numeric effluent limits.

Regional staff explained they used the 2022 severe bloom as the ‘‘critical condition’’ for calculations. Modeling and joint fact‑finding concluded that a roughly 40% reduction in bay‑wide nitrogen loads from the 2022 baseline would be sufficient so that, even if a severe bloom converted all available nitrogen to algal biomass and that biomass decayed, enough dissolved oxygen would remain to protect beneficial uses. Staff told the committee the 2022 loads were about 44,000 kilograms per day and that a 40% reduction would require reducing roughly 26,700 kg/day.

The permit takes a bay‑wide compliance approach: if the aggregate load limit is met, individual dischargers are considered compliant; if not, individual exceedances are violations. The Board also set interim limits, a 10‑year compliance schedule for many dischargers and an incentive and regional planning approach for multi‑benefit projects such as potable reuse and nature‑based solutions.

Staff stressed the role of an extensive, shared science program and regional funding commitments. The 40 wastewater agencies in the region were reported to have collectively contributed about $15 million so far to monitoring and research; staff said the program would continue to require roughly $2.2 million per year to support ongoing monitoring and modeling. The staff member said the Board voted unanimously to approve the permit at the July hearing after extended engagement and listening to hundreds of public comments.

","The San Francisco Bay Water Board told the coordinating committee it adopted a 2024 permit establishing interim and final nitrogen controls—aimed at a bay‑wide 40% load reduction from a 2022 baseline—after years of regional monitoring, joint science and stakeholder engagement following large harmful algal blooms.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6253279,"Staff describe lengthy stakeholder engagement behind California’s conservation regulation",1206,1447000,2653000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182336-c04fe6a654432d563fdbad0bb02fe94f&start=1447&end=2653","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182336-c04fe6a654432d563fdbad0bb02fe94f/thumbnail_1447000.jpg","/articles/6253279/California/Staff-describe-lengthy-stakeholder-engagement-behind-Californias-conservation-regulation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253279-24dd9283f3451bedfb9e46f9fa1d419e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773641859&Signature=huyMc7MQDBNJ2h3~rOUf6FRhlvNZYj-sggD041KeXxntnsjcJU021s4qQ1sVUJnC-bor9VqgmZ0HlpCGTgd64E3dklKC-hcNrJpGx6xxcVNaHI28qq~NNCbK1QBc-RbE~GdR70cw2HfHHzQECEZSYJPSONlB-rfYGPYwe16aB-QuR3KzNFzfMs6ohofSic6zjmiPFi6gms1ie~hmFpYeMxuQgLnS7mCljmKB3-jOhgD0blBa-3CNPaGSi799mvOfxp9iqN81Y1bF04enY1K005q6BN8hyoLPeBssbD3VFEMZd~rXC2yZM1sHJ9uD~U~SCySdT-9uCLgZWOuX8PdZjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State Water Board staff presented a case study on the regulation described in the meeting as the \"making conservation a California way of life\" effort, which staff said was driven by legislation and required a detailed, technical rulemaking effort.

Eric Oppenheimer, the State Water Board executive director, told the Water Quality Coordinating Committee that the regulation traces to two bills signed by the governor in 2018, and that the board’s work translated statutory requirements into efficiency standards, water‑use objectives and mechanisms for urban water suppliers to calculate annual water budgets. He described the regulation as technically complex and said the practice of creating service‑area specific budgets required many implementation details.

Staff recounted a contentious rulemaking process: a large number of formal comments, a lengthy public workshop and criticism from water suppliers and analysts that the draft regulation was infeasible. Oppenheimer said the board responded by expanding staff engagement and forming work groups with ‘‘thought leaders’’ from water suppliers and environmental groups over a roughly two‑month period to identify and refine concerns. \"We made changes to the regulation … giving more time and creating alternative compliance pathways,\" he said, describing those as the primary adaptations that reduced opposition and moved the process forward.

The regulation as explained by staff included: state‑set residential indoor use metrics, budgets for outdoor residential and commercial/industrial irrigation, provisions for system water loss, and a ‘‘bonus incentive’’ credit for potable recycled water. Staff said the rules apply to roughly 400 urban suppliers, collectively serving about 95% of the state's urban water delivery volume, and that the compliance standards decline over time so budgets grow tighter through 2040.

Oppenheimer told the committee that adopting the regulation required a yearlong formal rulemaking timeline, close coordination with the Department of Water Resources, and substantial internal briefings and board education. He said the combined approach of skilled staffing, stepped engagement, and adapting the draft to create more time and compliance alternatives were essential to permitting the board to adopt the regulation and begin implementation.

","State Water Board staff described the policy and rulemaking steps used to create and finalize the 'making conservation a California way of life' regulation, stressing intensive staff work, stakeholder work groups and alternative compliance pathways to address feasibility concerns.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6253284,"Water boards outline practical tools for difficult decision making at coordinating committee",1049,304000,1353000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182336-c04fe6a654432d563fdbad0bb02fe94f&start=304&end=1353","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182336-c04fe6a654432d563fdbad0bb02fe94f/thumbnail_304000.jpg","/articles/6253284/California/Water-boards-outline-practical-tools-for-difficult-decision-making-at-coordinating-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253284-1532b4fb3d821f7adf3814a9e70f7c03/orig.mp4?Expires=1773641859&Signature=Mg-l9ayzCpkGaNpZCgjDE3aEnxQ0Dlqaje6rbVFB4VFNV4nLApQHFE45Yk0OhlK~PiL23RxySETJJchjeIqpWNYjZDq8XoELfM4m0af6US8mF86X1LSUbJJz7kdlWMFutw9Wq9upGwMT3lzlFcesu-CVJFqC8JS7tKcYFLgEQMX5-C4XE5fcvmQ~UrsbRYmUkUk1RoocDO44LIEbCMwTB2WTQXig277ccETysAdiT3oNeNtQxJHUaPiuKacV9eA8FzJPL2N7XcGO8zB52dRrWP3vmBcUTrkEjTLAoPQ~vG1T3OoIsKXzd-97EhEPYd6~yCFdIR-wLwDalVL-roeTjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the State Water Resources Control Board and regional boards discussed tools and approaches to help elected members and staff reach and explain decisions that are likely to be contentious.

The discussion at the Water Quality Coordinating Committee emphasized preparation and public engagement as foundations for better outcomes. Michael Laufer, who led a session on the subject, said ‘‘preparedness … will help you work through a difficult decision’’ and urged board members to ask questions in advance so staff can bring the right material to the meeting.

Speakers recommended a suite of practical steps: use advance workshops to narrow issues; invest in broad public engagement early and often; treat staff as technical and public‑engagement resources to be tested, not presumed infallible; put motions on the record to let alternatives be considered; and use time strategically — either pressing to finish while stakeholders are present or continuing items when a majority is not ready. \"Don't be afraid to have these difficult decisions in public. It's what Bagley‑Keene was put there for,\" Laufer said.

Panelists also advised procedural clarity and professionalism. They urged board members to limit out‑of‑meeting contacts, speak from the dais when making choices, and keep post‑decision commentary collegial so boards can continue to function. Eric Oppenheimer, State Water Board executive director, described staff’s role: to present thorough, objective options but not to make the board’s vote.

The session included case‑study presentations (below) that leaders said illustrated the approach: intense stakeholder engagement, adaptation of draft rules where feasible, and the use of work groups to turn resistance into collaboration. Speakers repeatedly framed these techniques as a way to make the process—and the outcome—more defensible and understandable to the public.

The committee closed the session by inviting members to apply lessons learned to future rulemakings and enforcement matters, and to treat difficult decisions as opportunities for iterative improvement.

","State and regional water board officials at the Water Quality Coordinating Committee reviewed approaches to handle contentious, high‑stakes decisions, emphasizing preparedness, public engagement, and procedural tools such as advance workshops, motions, and timing strategies.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6253264,"State launches wastewater needs assessment; East Orosi designated for sewer‑system administrator under AB 805",2323,10501000,12824000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182336-c04fe6a654432d563fdbad0bb02fe94f&start=10501&end=12824","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182336-c04fe6a654432d563fdbad0bb02fe94f/thumbnail_10501000.jpg","/articles/6253264/California/State-launches-wastewater-needs-assessment-East-Orosi-designated-for-sewersystem-administrator-under-AB-805","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253264-9c85592c93c7fa3ab643a51ea3ca4cd3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773641859&Signature=ODXwTDavWT30ZVVMIvcB6TDAxBc7Z4SIdrbJoqmACpB538cDr608Fv0s1T3Nn9B932ItcVGxcfxwQFvl59vpXO-YEl19JuJ9Zue9DoGo~8NmuZN6-qotYtpfja-iboXbuRQ4ilPAWZMM631vNt8QIBXmuC2RvKCB39qIK-rnJF7wN5mfFdDAXKNEcfJW3Wb51WuzcwWqOilft97IhzE5ziVQDam88~HC-prOBvr~nhgpLcTPToIbzALZnKVQBQN1qBxh3l-68BN4XBMTIEvPrNHMivy62gpHt0jKEqxgZCG5~iONTlIhjl5E9j8OTIeyTKjCBk-VwqKRlgVsrgYQLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State Water Board staff briefed the coordinating committee on a new statewide wastewater needs assessment and on the state’s first use of AB 805 authority to designate a sewer system administrator for a disadvantaged community.

Annalisa Kihara (Division of Water Quality) and staff outlined two parallel efforts: (1) a contract‑funded statewide wastewater needs assessment to locate inadequate and at‑risk sanitation systems and propose solution pathways; and (2) implementation of recent legislation — SB 1215 (wastewater consolidation program) and AB 805 (sewer system administrators) — to respond to immediate community needs.

Stephanie Torres (DWQ) described the East Orosi pilot: under AB 805 the State Water Board can designate an inadequate sewer system and appoint a sewer system administrator to plan, fund, and implement connections or consolidation. The State issued a notification letter to East Orosi in February 2025, held a public meeting in April, and—per staff—received no objection to the proposed administrator (Tulare County or a local district). Staff said the administrator will prepare feasibility and community‑engagement plans, and may access Clean Water State Revolving Fund and other funding mechanisms to support consolidation.

Dania Jimerson summarized the wastewater needs assessment: a multi‑year, multi‑institution contract led by the University of California with subcontracted partners, funded for baseline work through 2027. Phase 1 focuses on data gathering, regional validation with the nine regional boards, advisory‑group input and a baseline assessment survey; Phase 2 will map systems of concern, estimate costs for solutions (capital and operations) and produce a working list and mapping tools to inform state and local planning. The team has run advisory group meetings, issued surveys, and planned field campaigns to ground‑truth the data.

Bridal (DWQ) said the long‑term vision is a coordinated, regionalized approach that uses consistent terminology, transparent data, and targeted technical assistance so communities can move from identification to funded solutions faster. Staff emphasized that the legislative authorities currently available are limited, and that the needs assessment will support future planning and potential legislative or funding requests.

","State Water Board staff described a statewide wastewater needs assessment and recent actions under AB 805 to appoint a sewer system administrator for East Orosi, citing SB 1215 and AB 805 authorities and a phased statewide data collection and advisory process.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Central Valley board adopted cease‑and‑desist order for City of Arvin after pond seepage, restricted new sewer connections

San Francisco Bay Water Board adopts nutrient limits after decade of monitoring and two large blooms

Staff describe lengthy stakeholder engagement behind California’s conservation regulation

Water boards outline practical tools for difficult decision making at coordinating committee

State launches wastewater needs assessment; East Orosi designated for sewer‑system administrator under AB 805